IBM, KONE in a multi-year IoT solutions and services deal

Bangalore: IT giant IBM today said that it has signed a multiyear agreement with KONE, a global elevator solutions provider, to provide cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and services to drive innovation in smart buildings.

Under the pact, KONE will tap into the IBM Watson IoT Cloud Platform to connect, remotely monitor and optimize its management of millions of escalators, doors and turnstiles in buildings and cities worldwide.

The system will analyze vast amounts of data from sensors embedded in equipment helping to identify and predict issues and minimize downtime. Instead of having to call in a service engineer, KONE will be able to predict and resolve selected technical issues remotely by running tests and making commands over the cloud.

"Our partnership with IBM is exciting and it is an important stepping stone to deliver the best People Flow experience. We operate in a connected world and by working with IBM, new solutions like remote diagnostics and predictability means we will deliver even better services to our customers, and great experiences for the people who use our equipment," said Henrik Ehrnrooth, President & CEO - KONE Corporation.

Using IBM's open standards-based Watson IoT Cloud platform, KONE plans to allow a vast developer ecosystem via Application Programming Interfaces (API's) to build new applications to make a smoother, safer and more personalized people flow experience for building users.

For instance, community-based systems could help people pre-order elevators during the busiest times of the day or speed up evacuations during emergencies.

"Efficient, people-centric cities and buildings are better for business, societies and economies. Central to this is how people move around within them and intelligent systems are poised to make their experience more convenient, intuitive and enjoyable," said Chris O'Connor, General Manager, Offerings, IBM Watson IoT.

"With IBM's cognitive IoT technologies, KONE is embedding intelligence across its operations and driving a wave of innovation in smarter buildings," added O'Connor.